Chapter Eight: Discovery
Title: Rhapsody in Blue
Author: Twilightstaruby
Disclaimers: All Nightworld concepts belong to L.J.Smith but the characters that you do not recognize all belong to me! Please do not take them without my permission, thank you!
A/N: Thanks for all the reviews all you wonderful people have given!
Raquel: Glad that you enjoyed the previous chapter! Hope that it is the same for this particular chappie!
Setus: Thanks. For reviewing. Really. I appreciate. It. Alot. Will get. Down. To. Reviewing Shadow of. The. Magnificent Fan. As. Soon. As possible.(You think it is very funny to review that way right? Back to you, way back to you, gal...)
incarnated-soul: I think I could learn to love you! Hahahaha...really appreciated that the whole time you were there for me...the First house IS stronger by the second house naturally because of the fact that they were descended directly from the dragons but at this time the fiction was set in, there was much turmoil and chaos and competition amongst the shapeshifters in the First house and second house due to many issues( much of which will be explained in detail in this chapter). Anyway, there are many complications and strains between the relationships of the First house and Second house. Witchlight didn't really explain much on the shapeshifters, neither did it elaborate much on their history and the way matters were done so it really matter whether if you have read it or not : ). Me likes Reothe(the heir's name) too...hahaha...And I adore Tamora Pierce's books! I have read every one of them, every single book i could get my hands on! I like Alanna's books the best of all...
castra: Actually, I have read Amelia Atwater-Rhodes...I love her book Shattered mirror most of all...they are one of my favorite books! But I have never read her Kiesha'ra series before, sad to say. I'll try to read them if i can find them...Well, hope you will enjoy this next chapter!
Dark Angel's Blue Fire: Lol...thanks for the review and all the nice compliments you included in there! My head kind of feel swollen from all the compliments you had just given me! Hahahaha...what can I say? Thanks then...I am so glad you enjoyed reading this story...it is one of my favorites...but however, there is no plot to the story, just a vague outline...so I am making up as i go along...so hopefully, it will not take too long for me to update each chapter!
And so it will go on...
Far from mortal cares retreating,
Sordid hopes and vain desires,
Here, our willing footsteps meeting,
Every heart to heaven aspires.
- Jane Taylor (1783-1824), Hymn
Chapter two: Unexpected proposal
Late, late, late, late, late.
The word repeated itself again and again in an irritating and incoherent manner in her mind as Seraphina raced along the corridors of the palatial palace that was home to the royal family of second house of Shapeshifters, her home, in other words, as though she was running for her life. The palace guards lined up along these corridors were too well trained to give any sign of puzzlement or amusement as to why their princess was running instead of walking along with the dignity befitted of her station.
Holding up bunches of her voluminous skirts by clenching them in her fists so as to prevent falling on her face should she trip however accidentally, Seraphina ran as though her life was on the line. The meeting with her parents was already twenty minutes past, though largely it wasn't her fault. Well, maybe a bit of the blame was hers. But she couldn't simply leave the stranded and injured baby kitten that had wandered into her room in the lurch when it needed care, could she?
Up ahead, the huge oak double doors that led to the royal court loomed into sight. At the sight of it, Seraphina let out a mental sigh of relief and slowed down her pace to a normal walking pace. Her hand instantly went to her hair, which, during her dash for the palace court, had fallen apart and was beyond repair, to pull out the pins holding the elaborate hairstyle in place and let her long tresses cascade down her back in soft waves. Then, she smooth out the wrinkles in her formal court gown as best as she could before giving a regal nod to the guards standing at the sides of the colossal doors to open the doors.
As the doors yawned open lazily, Seraphina walked through into the magnificent room that lay beyond. Her regal demeanor broke at the sight of her parents' plain displeasure on their faces and a sheepishly apologetic smile crosses her face as she curtsied to her parents who were seated in thrones on the dais, while her brother and sister were seated in chairs drawn-up beside them.
"Seraphina, you are-" her father started in his deep baritone that resounded throughout the room, a censuring note in his tone.
"I am sorry I was late, father. You see, there was this kitten and it was injured-" Seraphina started explaining eagerly, hoping that her parents would see and understand the reason why she was late.
Her father held up a hand for her to stop as he let out a sigh of resignation, an indulgent smile reluctantly appearing on his handsome face. Her mother was simply shaking her head gently from side to side, her expression similar to that of her father.
"We understand, Seraphina. You have a loving and caring heart, which we cannot fault you for, but next time, try not to be late. Can you do that for us?" Her mother was the one to pose this question, her soft and melodious voice lovely to listen to.
"Yes, Mother." Seraphina smiled as she curtsied to them.
"Take a seat, Sera." Her father gestured towards the only empty chair left between Christian and Rosabelle.
As she sat down, she heard Christian grumble disgruntledly under his breath," How come no tiny, defenseless and injured animals ever wandered into my room?"
"You might want to consider packing away all those weapons you have on display in your room, brother dear. It might help." Seraphina leaned over as she whispered conspiratorially to Christian in a dead serious tone.
His only reply was to jab her in her sides with his elbow. Seraphina let out a tiny 'Ow' of pain that had Rosabelle, who was unaware of the 'undercurrents' between her siblings looking over in surprise as Seraphina glared at her smirking brother whilst rubbing gingerly at her now sore side.
"Children," Out of the corner of her eye, she saw Christian winced at the term even as she herself winced inwardly. Even though they were no longer young, their mother insisted on calling them that because they, as their mother had so eloquently put it, will always be her children. Even so, it never failed to embarrass her and her siblings whenever her mother did that, be it in the public or in private.
"We have summoned you here for a reason. This shall concern all of you, and the First House of the Shapeshifters."
Ominous feelings of unease began to crawl through Seraphina as she absorbed her father's deep and solemn words. Beside her, her siblings' faces also revealed the same emotions. Anything to do with the First House was always something bad, that much she had gathered throughout the limited years of experience she had when she attended the court sessions held at the Second House of Shapeshifters. There was much tension between the First House and Second House of Shapeshifters pertaining to the point of who was more worthy of ruling the shapeshifters.
"There shall be an alliance formed between the two Houses as this is the only foolproof solution we can think of that would help in the current situation. It would pacify the people and in a way benefit both Houses." Her father's sharp golden eyes roved over them as he assessed their reactions.
"What alliance would it be, father?" Christian voiced out, the unease showing in his golden eyes, so alike those of his father evident in his tone.
Her father looked at them in silence before answering," A marriage alliance. To the heir of the First House of Shapeshifters, Reothe Drache."
A deafening silence met his words.
Seraphina simply stared at her father incredulously, words failing her. Marriage to the likes of Reothe Drache? That proud, arrogant creature whose ego was larger than the size of all her father's extensive lands put together judging from the way he had treated her a few years back when they had the misfortune to cross each other paths?
Then she remembered something else and her gaze shifted to Rosabelle, whose complexion of peaches and cream had turn as pale as the snow that would cover the land come this winter. Being the eldest daughter, the awful task of being betrothed to Reothe Drache fell onto her shoulders. But Seraphina knew that Rosabelle had taken a liking to one of the many young lords who had come in pursuit of her hand in marriage.
Lord Rhys of Selmore wasn't a man of impeccable lineage and he wasn't very rich, yet, unlike most of the other young lords, he possessed a heart of pure gold and most of all, he returned Rosabelle's affections. Seraphina knew also for a fact that they were on the verge of announcing their engagement, seeing that she was the one confident Rosabelle had told prior to the impending engagement.
She bit down on her lip at the trapped look on Rosabelle's face, and at the tears barely suppressed back, lingering on her lashes. And all of a sudden, what she had to do became clear to her, even though it alone may cost her happiness and future.
"Rosabelle-" Her father started speaking in his deep and solemn tone directed to Rosabelle, but Seraphina cut him off before he could finish the sentence.
"Father, I would like to take Rosabelle's place."
Shocked silence fell. Christian was gaping at her as though he had never seen a more idiotic person; Rosabelle's expression was trapped between happiness and shock. The only ones who did not appear to be shocked by her unusual request were her parents. Her father and mother's eyes were shrewd as they contemplated her request.
"Seraphina, do you know what you are asking, the responsibility and enormity that comes with it? The sacrifices and choices taken away from you?" A worried light was in her mother's eyes as she questioned her youngest daughter, a delicate frown forming between her brows.
"Yes." Her simple and confident answer offered no room for more argument from her parents.
Her father sighed a weary sigh. "So it is settled then. But may I know the reason for your choice, Sera?"
Before she could answer, Rosabelle cut in," It is my fault, father."
With that single statement, all eyes turned to her. Rosabelle gulped, then took a deep breath and steeled herself before continuing. "Lord Rhys of Selmore has proposed to me a few days ago and I accepted his suit."
"Why wasn't this told to us, Rosabelle?" There was a censuring tone in their mother's voice as she asked the simple question.
"I-we were afraid that you and father will not agree to it. We were planning to tell you later, after the summer solstice celebrations." Rosabelle avoided their gazes, looking down instead at her hands in her lap as they twist her handkerchief into knots. Seraphina, knowing how important and difficult it was to Rosabelle, placed her hand over her sister's fidgeting ones to lend her silent support.
"Rhys of Selmore? Isn't he that nice young man with the impeccable manners? Why ever do you think that we will not agree to his suit?" Her mother asked curiously.
"He…he isn't very rich and-and he doesn't come from a prominent family," Rosabelle bit down on her lips as she replied softly.
Her father and mother exchanged a silent look between each other.
"It doesn't matter, Rosabelle." Her mother's gentle tone had Rosabelle looking up in astonishment and a surprised," It doesn't?" escaped her mouth.
Her mother smiled at her oldest daughter's answer, "As long as he loves you and you are happy. That is all that really matters."
The half-afraid-to-hope look on Rosabelle's face gave way to full-fledged happiness as their father added," I will give you and your young man my blessings. As long as you are happy,"
The happiness shining in Rosabelle's face was irresistible and soon, Seraphina was smiling along with her, a bolt of happiness passing through her, the marriage alliance and one Reothe Drache forgotten for the moment.
Please remember to review and give me your thoughts on this chapter! Thank you!